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3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing
- Thread starter dogheadboy
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wow thats great, what a relieve, will they replace with a new phone or refurbished?
Some have reported that they've received refurbished phones (from plain boxes) and some have received new phones (retail boxes). Seems like this may depend on the store and the supply on hand.
I know Apple went with the plastic backs to improve connectivity, but I wish they had given the buyer a choice as to plastic or metal. Also, this plastic seems cheap to me. I looked at the tv remotes we have lying around the house and the plastic backs seem much more substantial.
Why is that lame? I have emailed that address twice and got a response both times.
ok guys i hope you can help. i;m not sure if there are cracks or scuffs but i have about 10 tiny curved lines above the volume buttons on the plastic where it meets the chrome. they're like hairline tiger stripes.
They're tiny and hard to see, but it appears they are underneath the surface and i cannot feel them as i run my finger over them.
do you think these are cracks? are there similar cases?
thanks
They're tiny and hard to see, but it appears they are underneath the surface and i cannot feel them as i run my finger over them.
do you think these are cracks? are there similar cases?
thanks
I just got my white 16GB replaced at the Apple store yesterday.
It had many cracks:
Dock connector to screw hole
Screw hole to speaker
Bezel to headphone port
Bezel to power button
Headphone port to sim slot
Radially out from camera lens
Lower volume corner to bezel
Apple gave me no trouble swapping it out for a white box model, which didn't have the 5k8 serial number. It looks new to me, no cracks, perfect bezel, no light leaks, etc.
The only question they asked is if I had been using a case. I wonder if they're suspecting some of the cases are fitting too tight and causing damage? Not so for me, though, I don't use a case.
Frankly, from some of the comments on here, I was expecting they'd give me a bit more of a hassle.
It had many cracks:
Dock connector to screw hole
Screw hole to speaker
Bezel to headphone port
Bezel to power button
Headphone port to sim slot
Radially out from camera lens
Lower volume corner to bezel
Apple gave me no trouble swapping it out for a white box model, which didn't have the 5k8 serial number. It looks new to me, no cracks, perfect bezel, no light leaks, etc.
The only question they asked is if I had been using a case. I wonder if they're suspecting some of the cases are fitting too tight and causing damage? Not so for me, though, I don't use a case.
Frankly, from some of the comments on here, I was expecting they'd give me a bit more of a hassle.
I exchanged my first iPhone last monday because of cracks.
Later that day I noticed the new one had a couple very very small and faint cracks near the volume switch. A few days later I noticed there were two cracks by the headphone port.
Today (4 days after exchanging) I noticed there are 28 large cracks on the right side of the phone starting at the chrome and running towards the back of the phone.
This is ridiculous. I want to exchange it, but I don't know what the point is since I'm almost positive that a new phone would have the same problem. It seems like just about every phone has this problem.
I wish Apple would do something about this obvious defect. It worries me that they're ramping up production so ambitiously. It seems like they're going to be less likely to acknowledge a problem when there are millions and millions of defective units in use.
Later that day I noticed the new one had a couple very very small and faint cracks near the volume switch. A few days later I noticed there were two cracks by the headphone port.
Today (4 days after exchanging) I noticed there are 28 large cracks on the right side of the phone starting at the chrome and running towards the back of the phone.
This is ridiculous. I want to exchange it, but I don't know what the point is since I'm almost positive that a new phone would have the same problem. It seems like just about every phone has this problem.
I wish Apple would do something about this obvious defect. It worries me that they're ramping up production so ambitiously. It seems like they're going to be less likely to acknowledge a problem when there are millions and millions of defective units in use.
Sounds like a good way to crack your iPhone.
Seriously, if you have to go into a dark room, get a bright flashlight, get your magnifying glass and squint to see a barley visible line on you iPhone, then is it really an issue?
Or is the real problem the compulsive behavior that makes one do this odd task?
I went to my local Apple store today to examine this phenomenon. I have to say the first white iPhone I picked up very obviously had cracking all over the place. Where it was worst was on the rear lower surface of the phone where the cracks radiated out in semi circular arcs from the dock area. I looked at 2 white iPhones and they both exhibited this issue, though the second to a much lesser extent. Then I looked at 3 black iPhones and try as I might I could not see a single crack on any of these. That doesn't mean they weren't there (they might have been) I just couldn't see them. On all the cracks I saw except for one on one of the white iPhones they seemed to be below the surface, I was unable to feel any irregularity with my fingers.
At this point if I were buying an iPhone (which I might tomorrow) I would get a black model. At least if the defect is present you won't be able to see it on a constant basis. That said this is obviously a common defect which needs to be addressed, I am surprised my local store left those obviously flawed iPhones out on display. It could only mean one of two things, either
1. This problem is not a big deal outside these forums and the local store isn't even aware of it.
or
2. They simply don't consider it a large enough issue to replace the floor models.
I tend to think #1 is more likely.
At this point if I were buying an iPhone (which I might tomorrow) I would get a black model. At least if the defect is present you won't be able to see it on a constant basis. That said this is obviously a common defect which needs to be addressed, I am surprised my local store left those obviously flawed iPhones out on display. It could only mean one of two things, either
1. This problem is not a big deal outside these forums and the local store isn't even aware of it.
or
2. They simply don't consider it a large enough issue to replace the floor models.
I tend to think #1 is more likely.
I think they're aware of it, but they have no idea how to fix it.
I almost wish they'd let me exchange my phone for a 2g. It would be nice to just be able to use the phone instead of always worrying about some defect that should have never occurred in the first place.
I almost wish they'd let me exchange my phone for a 2g. It would be nice to just be able to use the phone instead of always worrying about some defect that should have never occurred in the first place.
Headphone Port Chrome Ring Chipping
My iphone 3g's headphone port's chrome ring has chipped around the rim and has exposed a white plastic looking material...
I am soooooo tired of getting replacements, most of which had other problems, so I am fine with keeping this for now...
But is this effecting my reception? I heard it is part of the antennae.
I also don't want it to get worse, any sealant suggestion that is safe in that area/material?
any replacement part? Thanks all...
oh, 16gb Black, two days past return date....ughhh.
My iphone 3g's headphone port's chrome ring has chipped around the rim and has exposed a white plastic looking material...
I am soooooo tired of getting replacements, most of which had other problems, so I am fine with keeping this for now...
But is this effecting my reception? I heard it is part of the antennae.
I also don't want it to get worse, any sealant suggestion that is safe in that area/material?
any replacement part? Thanks all...
oh, 16gb Black, two days past return date....ughhh.
Since I got my iphone it had some, two actually, uneven spots around my lens. Because it took such a long time before I could actually get one I took it for granted, took it with me on my holidays etc. Well I took very good care of it, had it in a solid cover.
Well since this rumours got out, about the cracks, I inspected my phone quite often. Since today I noticed that I've got loads of cracks around the same uneven spots! They shaped themselves around the lens! You can even feel them through the top coating..
Some other guys from the Netherlands, who took some action and finally got theirselves a new one?
By the way, the production week of my iphone is 27.
Here some pic's. (Full res - http://www.gykm.nl/iphone/)
unlike all these other whiny brats, i believe this is actually a defective unit !
let us know how the replacement goes
If this really is affecting as many people as it seems to be, they're going to have a hell of an expensive recall on their hands... perhaps they'll work out some way of replacing just the case without needing to trash the whole unit...
...then we'll end up with people with wobbly cases, or mis-aligned screns....
White iPhone, week 31 (I think). Bought today at O2 store, UK, opened box, had a look around the back case and clear as daylight, there's a crack between the headphone jack and the bezel. There's also what looks like a small chip next to the simcard slot.
Not impressed.
Any UK people on here successfully returned their phone to an o2 store under these circumstances?
Not impressed.
Any UK people on here successfully returned their phone to an o2 store under these circumstances?
New iPhone - No cracks... yet.
Just swapped out my launch-day white iPhone due to cracks at the volume rocker, headphone jack and the dock connector.
I had no problem with the exchange. I just showed the genius the cracks and he mentioned he had only seen 1 other iPhone with similar cracks. He showed me his white launch-day model and it didn't have a single crack. Then he offered me a new iPhone.
The new one has no cracks at all. Hopefully it stays that way! Also, the sleep and volume buttons on the new one feel much more "clicky" and responsive than my launch-day iPhone.
Just swapped out my launch-day white iPhone due to cracks at the volume rocker, headphone jack and the dock connector.
I had no problem with the exchange. I just showed the genius the cracks and he mentioned he had only seen 1 other iPhone with similar cracks. He showed me his white launch-day model and it didn't have a single crack. Then he offered me a new iPhone.
The new one has no cracks at all. Hopefully it stays that way! Also, the sleep and volume buttons on the new one feel much more "clicky" and responsive than my launch-day iPhone.
Seems to me like this thread is slowing down. I wonder if it's because people don't care anymore or if the new iPhones they're buying aren't cracking.
I know some people are holding off on replacing their iPhones until Apple issues some sort of fix, however this may have a negative effect. If people don't keep going into stores asking for replacements, Apple will probably think the matter is solved and won't pursue a solution any further.
It also bothers me to know that people who are on their 4th or 5th replacement iPhone don't demand a new one instead of the refurbs they're getting. If I was on my 4th replacement, I'd rain holy hell down on that store for not giving me a new one.
I know some people are holding off on replacing their iPhones until Apple issues some sort of fix, however this may have a negative effect. If people don't keep going into stores asking for replacements, Apple will probably think the matter is solved and won't pursue a solution any further.
It also bothers me to know that people who are on their 4th or 5th replacement iPhone don't demand a new one instead of the refurbs they're getting. If I was on my 4th replacement, I'd rain holy hell down on that store for not giving me a new one.
I asked for a new one for replacement but got that white boxed one. They say, after 14 days they give white boxed replacements. Mine does not look like a refurb. Serial starts 85 not like 5k8 as some refurbs, week 32.
I had to take my MacBook in today, and I also asked the Genius about my phone. He said he could exchange it if I wanted, but I decided to wait. Other than 30 or so cracks, my phone is fine ( ). He said that Apple is "investigating" the situation, but they haven't decided on any course of action yet.
He did say, however, that there would be no problem exchanging it for this issue later on too. I figure it's best to wait until Apple sorts this out and then exchange my phone. As long as it doesn't fall apart, it's in its case, so I don't even see the cracks.
). He said that Apple is "investigating" the situation, but they haven't decided on any course of action yet.He did say, however, that there would be no problem exchanging it for this issue later on too. I figure it's best to wait until Apple sorts this out and then exchange my phone. As long as it doesn't fall apart, it's in its case, so I don't even see the cracks.
I had to take my MacBook in today, and I also asked the Genius about my phone. He said he could exchange it if I wanted, but I decided to wait. Other than 30 or so cracks, my phone is fine (
He did say, however, that there would be no problem exchanging it for this issue later on too. I figure it's best to wait until Apple sorts this out and then exchange my phone. As long as it doesn't fall apart, it's in its case, so I don't even see the cracks.
It's an interesting point, and half makes me want to wait before I take mine back as well. Until I found two dead pixels as well. Kind of compounds things.
I'm going to attempt to take it back to the O2 store this saturday, as I figure I'll have a better chance of getting a new recplacement there (unless they stock the 'white boxes' as well...?).
I had to take my MacBook in today, and I also asked the Genius about my phone. He said he could exchange it if I wanted, but I decided to wait. Other than 30 or so cracks, my phone is fine (
He did say, however, that there would be no problem exchanging it for this issue later on too. I figure it's best to wait until Apple sorts this out and then exchange my phone. As long as it doesn't fall apart, it's in its case, so I don't even see the cracks.
I think that's probably the best thing to do
Yes they are.
I'm on my 4th iPhone 3G from the cracks and dead pixels I've had with my phones.
They know me by name now in the store, especially after I was in the Apple Store for 9 hours on 3G launch day on the phone with AT&T figuring out little account issues...
Regardless, they're replaced all of my phones and have even started to ask me cracking/handling specific questions as part of their service (to send to Apple about the incident) and want to know if I use a case or how I handle it, what other accessories I have for the phone, etc..
I've had to wait until the service phones were back in stock twice now of the 3 replacements I've had (4th phone overall), and each replacement of course requires a genius-bar appt.
Be sure to make them know that you'll be back every time you see a crack, this will urge them to push the issue. They changed the plastic mix for the white MacBooks, I'd say they need to do it for the 3G iPhones. All of my cracks have happend at the same two weak-points in the casing. Between the headphone hack and the front bezel chrome piece, and at the dock connecter between it and the front bezel chrome piece. Those are the thinnest spots and get the most play if you used headphones or sync/connect your phone to other things often (me with my car audio/charging adapter/dock).
I'm on my 4th iPhone 3G from the cracks and dead pixels I've had with my phones.
They know me by name now in the store, especially after I was in the Apple Store for 9 hours on 3G launch day on the phone with AT&T figuring out little account issues...
Regardless, they're replaced all of my phones and have even started to ask me cracking/handling specific questions as part of their service (to send to Apple about the incident) and want to know if I use a case or how I handle it, what other accessories I have for the phone, etc..
I've had to wait until the service phones were back in stock twice now of the 3 replacements I've had (4th phone overall), and each replacement of course requires a genius-bar appt.
Be sure to make them know that you'll be back every time you see a crack, this will urge them to push the issue. They changed the plastic mix for the white MacBooks, I'd say they need to do it for the 3G iPhones. All of my cracks have happend at the same two weak-points in the casing. Between the headphone hack and the front bezel chrome piece, and at the dock connecter between it and the front bezel chrome piece. Those are the thinnest spots and get the most play if you used headphones or sync/connect your phone to other things often (me with my car audio/charging adapter/dock).
I would imagine that cracks appear most often around the dock connector since that can't be avoided at all since you have to charge the battery. Not everyone uses their headphone jack as much. Since I have an iPod, I don't use the iPhone's headphone jack. I'm also amazed that the cracking issue isn't mentioned on any of the Apple podcasts that I listen to. I keep waiting for one of the hosts to mention it, but they haven't so far. Good luck with your replacement, btw. I can't believe the bad luck you've been having, but I don't doubt you at all.